Online Reporter
Musawenkosi Moyo
Courtrooms are typically places of solemnity, where laughter is seldom heard.
Yet, even within these serious proceedings, moments of unexpected humour can arise—sometimes from the most unlikely sources.
Such was the case when a 33-year-old man from Nyamandlovu, facing assault charges, shocked the courtroom with his unusual defence. Claiming he had been “sexually starved” since 2022, his statement drew audible reactions from those present.
Ngonidzashe Dube, of Ngoma Township in Matabeleland North Province, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Abednico Ndebele on two counts of assault. His defence may have caused a stir, but it did little to sway the court.
He was convicted on his own guilty plea and sentenced to 24 months in prison, with six months suspended on the condition that he does not commit a similar offence within three years—leaving him to serve an effective 18 months behind bars.
While delivering the verdict, Magistrate Ndebele pointed out that Dube, frustration over his lack of intimacy could have led to an even more serious crime had he found his ex-lover alone.
“You assaulted someone over a woman who was your sister-in-law and interrupted them—perhaps they were planning a romantic night,” the magistrate remarked.
In his testimony, Dube explained that he and the complainant, Iphangolwazi Moyo, a prison officer stationed in Nyamandlovu, had been in a relationship in 2018, which ended in 2019 when he left for work in South Africa.
Upon his return, he had been trying to rekindle their romance but claimed his efforts were in vain.
On the night of February 8, 2025, Dube, feeling sexually frustrated, decided to visit Moyo’s home in hopes of winning her back. However, upon arrival around midnight, he found her with her boyfriend, Tinashe Gohori, a teacher at Nyamandlovu Secondary School.
Consumed by rage, Dube chased Gohori away before turning on Moyo, attacking her with his fists. He then pursued Gohori, caught up with him, and continued the assault—punching and head-butting him before finally leaving the scene.
The incident was reported to the police, leading to Dube’s arrest.
